Conservative approach backfiring on Bears

Coach John Fox has the Bears playing better than last season, but they have only a 1-5 record to show for it.

Coach John Fox has the Bears playing better than last season, but they have only a 1-5 record to show for it.

The Homer's Guide to Bears Season

Like a lot of Bears fans, I'm not quite sure what to make of them this season. I want to believe they are a good team, but then they go and do something dumb like lose to the lowly San Francisco 49ers, a team they should have beaten handily.

Every time we get our hopes up, the Bears remind us of who they really are. Let's face it. Good teams don’t let a pedestrian quarterback like Blaine Gabbert scramble 44 yards for a touchdown with the game on the line. Good teams don’t find ways to lose in overtime. And good teams have a better home record than 1-5.

Now any hopes of the Bears making the playoffs have gone wide and to the left like one of Robbie Gould's missed field goals. And we are forced to quiet our excitement and again lower our expectations for the remaining four games on the schedule.

It’s crazy to think the Bears have played their lousiest football at Soldier Field, but with Washington coming to town, the Bears have to figure out a way to play better at home.

Welcome to the Bears Binge, where every week RedEye prepares you for the matchup facing the Monsters of the Midway. This week: A blast from Jay Cutler's past, the NFC East sucks and impress your friends with your sea lion knowledge.

Game time: vs. Washington, noon Sunday, Fox

SO MANY EMOTIONS!

...

Washington isn’t a slouch, but it isn't great either. Once again the Bears defense is pitted against a very average quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but Washington's offense has a lot of weapons to worry about. They start with a better-than-average wide receiver tandem with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, and a multifaceted rushing attack featuring Alfred Morris and Matt Jones.

The Bears defense has to figure out a way to generate takeaways. Of 32 NFL teams, the Bears rank 27th in defensive interceptions and 30th in forced fumbles. Part of having a home-field advantage is being able to force teams to give the ball away; that’s something the Bears defense has been lacking.

On offense, the Bears need to get out the gate fast and put points on the board early. The conservative play calling allows opponents to stay in games late. So by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it’s still anybody’s game, and that approach backfired on the Bears last week. Getting out to an early lead will force Washington's offense into a one-dimensional passing attack.

Also, if I see one more wide receiver screen from the Bears, I’ll definitely lose it.

Joseph Tanksley is a RedEye contributor and former defensive back at Butler University. @debaucheryteam

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